Malcolm Maciver

From electric fish to robot fish and back

Few people are closer to unraveling the mysteries of evolution than neuroscientist Malcolm MacIver and his colleagues. MacIver is currently professor of Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University, where he and his team study the principles of animal behavior and intelligence. Their work is not restricted solely to neurobiological research, but also extends to the development of advanced computer models and robotics, including a robotic fish that is able to swim with great agility.

Malcolm MacIver studied Computer Science at the University of Toronto and went on to obtain a PhD degree in Neuroscience at the University of Illinois. He received the 2009 Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Engineering. He is a member of the Society of Neuroscience, the American Physical Society, the IEEE, and the International Society for Neuroethology.

In addition to his multidisciplinary analysis of animal behavior and intelligence, MacIver is actively involved in sharing the results of his research with the broader public by way of science-inspired interactive art installations. He and collaborators developed an exhibit featuring a choir of live electric fish that can be conducted by participants, featured at STRP in Eindhoven as well as the National Art Museum of China. MacIver also blogs for Discover Magazine and advises producers of science fiction films and TV series.